Monday 25 January 2016

UP AND DOWN HILL AND HIGHAM POINT TO POINT 24-1-16



The first meeting of the 2015-16 point to point season at The Higham racecourse, for the North Norfolk Harriers Point to point.


Fresh ground greeted a well attended meeting, on a warm but somewhat overcast Sunday Afternoon. One of four point to point meetings running throughout the country.

Six races were booked for the day, starting with a well declared maiden race that had to be split into two divisions

Division one was taken at a good pace, runners who had not been out so far this season struggled in the ground that was described by some, as being 'perfect' point to point racing ground. But it was the Michael Kehoe trained Fort Gabriel, who broke his maiden duck beating Happy ring house, under the guidance of young pilot Nick Meake.


The five year old French bred ex hurdler, seemed to relish the change in discipline to knock up the first win of the season for the jockey, and only his second win of his career. The horse seemed to be having a good blow after the race and would defiantly be coming on from his outing. But the chestnut gelding that would not look out of place in a line up of hurdlers certainly would not want the ground any deeper than good. ‘I schooled him the other day in soft ground, and he didn’t really perform to well, so he would certainly be the top of the ground horse.'
Fort Gabriel

The second division, again well subscribed, went to the Pauline Harkin trained Don’t Budge Me. The race being run in a quicker time than that of the first division. The seven year old Irish hurdler, running his best to date in a two mile hurdle at Rosscommon, beat second placed Nandini with top point to point jockey Sam Davies-Thomas on board by a couple of lengths.

                                                                        Don't Budge Me


Harry Wallace the jockey mentioned ‘I’ve ridden a fair bit under rules but this is my first point to point winner. I’m delighted and it’s all credit to the team here at Higham for supplying us with perfect ground.


No more divisions throughout the card from now on. 
The next race being a Novice rider’s race, with fourteen runners going to post. One of the riders was the well publicized Victoria Pendleton. Who only this week was given her Foxhunters mount at the festival, Pasha Du Polder.
Her mount in in this race Minella Theatre, already a runner for the pair this season took the field on for most of the trip. But it was around the back straight last time out that the  thirteen year old Alan Hill charge dropped off the pace allowing the race to continue. 
Done a Runner, trained by Dale Peters and ridden by Jack Andrews had done enough to beat Susquehanna River.


The ten year old by Alderbrook on his first run of the season did well for the young rider, who had to rush his presentation proceeding to get to his ride in the next, and stayed well. One to be considered if out next time.

Done a Runner

The conditions race saw sixteen go to post, and looked on paper to be a strong contest. 
Broken Eagle already notching up a win so far in the season,the eight year old by Broken Vow looking an all over nice chasing sort for the stables of Alan Hill. Jumping for fun and looked very fit when taking the field on in the very quick time of 5 m 58sec, the fastest I’ve seen all season in a point race. 
‘He’ll now be looked at open races and possibly Hunter chases but we’ll have to see, but has done well for us considering he only cost us 2’500gns at the sales’ mentioned the horses’ jockey and trainers son Joe Hill. The second and third horses Decade Player and Alforone, would have to be looked at next time out with regards to the form of the winner.


                          Broken Eagle

Harbour Court
Both trainer and jockey looked to be on a roll as in the next, the men’s open. Harbour court who took a walk over two weeks before at Ampton took on six other opponents. 
Alan hill said’ the ground was perfect for him and he was so well.’ And looked it as he led the field coming round the bend for the final time, looking a certainty to take the race. Jo hill looked alarmingly down and immediately pulled the horse up and dismounted. Alas a sad end to a talented contender, a horse at the beginning of the Season Joe Hill was excited about, and will be very much missed by the yard and the pointing followers for sure.

This left though, Brackloon High and Andrew Barlow to take the race from Patsy Finnegan for the Michael Kehoe yard, a double for the afternoon. And first for the veteran trainer who was delighted.

Brackloon High

This was the second year running for the jockey that he has won this particular race and mentioned that he would be possibly back for the treble next season. ‘ You knew if you are riding one of Michael’s horse they would be fit and give a good account of themselves, so was ever hopeful. But it was sad to see a good horse like Harbour Court pull up like that.’

The penultimate race of the afternoon, the ladies open saw again Victoria Peddleton look for her maiden victory. According to Sarah, again trained by the Hill’s who ran only seven days previous in Devon, when fourth, looked a keen possibility that Higham would remain on the shelve of ‘special places’ for the ex Olympian cyclist. 
The bookmakers did not reflect this though making her mount an outsider for the seven horse event.

According to Sarah

Start Royal ridden by top lady point to point jockey Gina Andrews bought home the Alan Hill trained twelve year old to beat It was me and Claire Williamson. ‘This is not an easy horse to ride at home,’ said the trainer. ‘ you have to be very quite on him and it takes some rider to get on with him, but a great vintage horse , given a great vintage ride by the jockey and perfect ground was good to see, Joe schooled him the other day and he flew, so we knew he was well in himself.’ Maybe a bitter pill to swallow for the Hill’s but did so they did with great care and professionalism.


Start Royal


Burtredgipandgump

The final race of the day, the Subaru Restricted race was won by the Wright families Burtredgipandgimp. The seven year old by Blueprint, bought at Doncaster sales, beat Condorman by six lengths. 
Jockey Archie Wright said, ‘we are so happy with that, we came here today to find out more about him, and he has certainly answered questions. We’ve worked hard on his jumping at home, and all the work has certainly paid off.’ One to keep an eye on as the season progresses.